The Delhi Police on Tuesday claimed that those approached by terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba were not victims of the Muzaffarnagar communal riots, confirming that two people have been arrested till now in connection with the case.

Addressing a press conference, Commission of Police – Special Cell, S N Shrivastava further said that the case was registered by Delhi Police on the basis of information provided by Central intelligence body.

This came after The Indian Express reported that two Haryana imams arrested last month for their suspected links to Lashkar-e-Toiba, and another LeT operative, had allegedly visited relief camps of victims of the Muzaffarnagar communal riots and sought to recruit men to their module.

Some of the men who were allegedly approached refused to join hands with the Pakistan-based terror group and instead informed the Special Cell of the Delhi Police.

On Monday, they recorded their detailed statements under section 164 CrPC in the chamber of a city magistrate at the Patiala House court. The sealed statements are now admissible as evidence in court.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi had at a rally in Indore in October claimed that vested interests were behind the Muzaffarnagar riots and that an intelligence officer had told him that Pakistan's ISI was trying to recruit disgruntled youths.

The statement had sparked a furore with the BJP, Muslim groups and even some victims living in the relief camps strongly criticising Rahul for his claim.

Sources said the men who recorded their statements in court and have turned witnesses against the imams were living on the fringes of relief camps in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli.

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